... the charming Robert Lebrun ignites the hidden passion locked in Edna's heart: a passion so intense that it reduces Edna to tears in the darkness of night. This is the genesis of Edna's epic internal conflict. A war erupts within her: a battle between head and heart. Edna is forced to choose between Robert and her family. In the ultimate decision, Edna follows the path of her blazing heart's desire. The flames of love quickly consume her, and the ... presence of Robert invades her every thought. Edna's decision stands in stark contrast to the standards of the typical "mother-women- of th...

• Word Count: 455
• Approx Pages: 2
• Grade Level: High School

... introduced to Mrs. Mallard and learns she is "afflicted with heart trouble- as a result, "great care was taken to break to her as gently as possible the news of her husband's death."" This is perhaps the only hint of an exposition. The news of his death also acts as the complication leading to the rest of the story. After learning of her husband's death in a train wreck, she feels free ... action; she is so overwhelmed with emotion, or perhaps disappointment, that she dies on the spot. The last line comes nearest to a resolution, "When the doctors came they said she had died of heart d...

• Word Count: 1471
• Approx Pages: 6
• Grade Level: High School

... sent into a world of darkness and despair, where there is no occasion for patches of blue sky and the sounds and smells of spring. However, Mrs. Mallard, in seeing the bright color beyond the clouds, is optimistic. Furthermore, by focusing on the blue patches of sky, she begins to think about her new life, which is reinforced in her reflection of the beauty of spring. The way she looks out the window, it is ... heaven, as this feeling was coming out of the sky itself: "But she felt it, creeping out of the sky, reaching toward her through the sounds, the scents, the color that filled the...

• Word Count: 1692
• Approx Pages: 7
• Grade Level: High School

... Hour- by Kate Chopin Commentary "The Story of an Hour- is a startling portrayal of a woman's awakening upon receiving news of her husband's death. Written in the 19th century, this was very much considered a feminist' story, as it harboured disapproving attitudes towards marriage. In the first sentence, readers were told that the woman was (Louise Mallard) afflicted with heart trouble, foreshadowing danger, fragility, and unwell-ness. Louise did not ... husband. Instead, Louise settled, comfortably, into a couch. That is not all. Where Louise should have looked out the window and see si...

• Word Count: 685
• Approx Pages: 3
• Grade Level: High School

... about his ability to be the only to solve the riddle of the Sphinx, and that he, of course for he is such a great ruler, will be able to get to the bottom of the reason of the plague and ridding the citizens of the misery they endure. The city fuels their king's pride by agreeing with him. The Oracle at Delphi proclaimed that the murderer of the king should be banished, and the plague will be lifted. Oedipus ... mock my blindness? Let me tell you this. You with your precious eyes, you're blind to the corruption of your life, to the house you live in, to those you live with-...one day......

• Word Count: 3079
• Approx Pages: 12

... a fact; never altered a disagreeable word to suit the pleasure or convenience of any mortal being, least of all of his own children, who, sprung from his loins, should be aware from childhood that life is difficult; facts uncompromising; and the passage to that fabled land where our brightest hopes are extinguished, our frail barks founder in darkness (here Mr. Ramsay would straighten his back and ... narrow his little blue eyes upon the horizon), one that needs, above all, courage, truth, and the power to endure. (Lighthouse p.4) Mr. Ramsay insists uncompromisingly on the bleak facts o...

• Word Count: 3254
• Approx Pages: 13
• Grade Level: High School

... other. A secret so dark that it drives him to murder. John's father Stanley was a very sanctimonious character in this story. He was a preacher, and his domineering personality struck fear into the heart of his son. His religious ways made life very dismal for his family. John was conceived before marriage. His father wanted to live vicariously through his son and steer him away ... and colonial ways. There were such dark and light contrasts between the two worlds. There was never any middle ground or gray area. "Those coated with the white clay of the white man's ways are the worst. Th...

• Word Count: 879
• Approx Pages: 4
• Grade Level: High School

... to reflect long and hard on the word "Obey" when vowing her heart, hand and life in marriage. She indicates that a woman will lose not only her autonomy, but must also forgo all rights to her own ideas, personality, and her sense of humor. In line 1, the speaker declares that the status of a wife and servant are the same in the eyes of a husband. This is a commonly accepted view ... for the early 1700's, and in some ways ... more accepted when asked for by the husband. At present, little thought is given to the state of divorce, no matter the number of times, or the reason for divorce....

• Word Count: 351
• Approx Pages: 1
• Grade Level: High School

... responsibility, yet, Addie seems to separate herself from her children she states, "As I gave Anse three children who are none of mine-. She wants nothing to do with any of the children except Jewel. By her words, you can only give to interpretation her religious beliefs. This woman uses words as "Just ... children and she seems "Out to get him- as the cliché says. Perhaps this woman wants power. Throw away morality and you can create your own power. This is how this woman can be related to Kurtz from Heart of Darkness. Kurtz's realization came to him before he died that ... there's ...

• Word Count: 1163
• Approx Pages: 5
• Grade Level: High School

... about how much she loves and cares for her love Romeo. Her behaviour is not that of a normal fourteen year old. Her soliloquy is based around darkness and her cravings for Romeo: 'With thy black mantle, till strange love grow bold.' This adds to the dramatic tension of the audience because they can see how strangely and unpredictable Juliet's behaviour is now, they will not ... is playing a very dangerous game here, as she is really saying she will never be satisfied till she beholds Romeo and dead is her poor heart. Shakespeare includes this in order to create dramatic tension towards ...

• Word Count: 4397
• Approx Pages: 18
• Grade Level: High School

... about how much she loves and cares for her love Romeo. Her behaviour is not that of a normal fourteen year old. Her soliloquy is based around darkness and her cravings for Romeo: 'With thy black mantle, till strange love grow bold.' This adds to the dramatic tension of the audience because they can see how strangely and unpredictable Juliet's behaviour is now, they will not ... is playing a very dangerous game here, as she is really saying she will never be satisfied till she beholds Romeo and dead is her poor heart. Shakespeare includes this in order to create dramatic tension towards ...

• Word Count: 4397
• Approx Pages: 18
• Grade Level: High School

... character, Genji, grows out of the darkness of his mother's early passing. The void left behind, and subsequent search for a true love is the motivation for much of the goings on in Genji's life. For most of the first chapter, Genji is a child. He is the love child of the Emperor and Kiritsubo and the most beautiful child anyone has ever seen. His stunning good looks eventually earn him the nickname, the Shining Lord. Because his ... and raised him himself as much as his position would allow. For years, the Emperor missed Kiritsubo terribly. After trying to find a replacement for her, b...

• Word Count: 821
• Approx Pages: 3
• Grade Level: High School

... seven years of trying to attract the princes attention, Fair wins the heart of King Omanya's son. One Sunday morning, the henwife grants Trembling's wishes to be able to go to church and attend mass lavishly dressed. The henwife puts on the cloak of darkness and Trembling's wishes are granted. The orders of the henwife were, "You must not to go inside the door of the church, and the minute the people rise up at the end of mass, do ... you make off, and ride home as fast as the ... ...

• Word Count: 1523
• Approx Pages: 6
• Grade Level: High School

... de last time ... lak he always done, and was gone after de rest lak lightnin"" (Hurston 17). Nanny Crawford, believes that, "black women were the mules of the world", and she does not want Janie to be a mule. She wants to see Janie in a secure situation before she dies, and Logan Killicks could ... he can openly express his love for Janie. Although Janie is cautious of his intentions and their age difference, Tea Cake continues to seek her out. "But it was no place to show her fear there in the darkness between the house and the store (Hurston 99). He accepts Janie for who she is uncondit...

• Word Count: 1964
• Approx Pages: 8
• Grade Level: High School

... opposite, feeling that standing out only created a lack of freedom. While Joe relied on money, Tea Cake relied on nature, a vital connection with Janie, since she has relied on nature her entire life. Tea Cake's love for Janie's hair, combing and admiring it became a significant route to Janie's heart, being that Tea Cake is the first man who has ever liked her hair ... , her source of freedom and character. Janie eventually decides to live the life she has always wanted to live, and makes plans to marry Tea Cake, sell ... her life after all of the years she waited for her happiness. Th...

• Word Count: 1903
• Approx Pages: 8
• Grade Level: High School